Moonville Series 1: Secret Lovers

'We'll go home at six."

Alex looked at Angel who is in the driver's seat. The latter went out of the car without saying anything more. She didn't even wait for Alex to get out of the car. Angel immediately left and proceeded to Business School.

Alex can do nothing but get out of the car and go to her own class. Since the confrontation happened between her and Angel, her sister has been cold to her. Though, Angel still sends her to school and takes her home with her everyday so that their parents will not know that something is going on between them.

She can't help but feel bad with what is happening between them. She can't tell her the truth even if she considers Angel her best friend. Her sister is the type that is very obedient with their parents' orders. Even though she's her best friend, she sure will not side with her regarding her friendship with Richard.

Alex is obviously depressed because of what happened between her and Angel. Even Richard is worried as to her status emotionally.

'Are you two still not okay?" Richard asked. They are in the library while they wait for Angel's last subject to end.

'Not yet."

Richard suddenly felt guilty. 'I'm sorry."

'It's not your fault," Alex said. 'I agreed to this. Don't blame yourself."

But Richard can't remove the guilt he's feeling. He feels like he's the reason that Alex and Angel are not okay. Another is he also wants Alex to feel happy always.

'I have an idea." Richard suddenly stood up.

Alex looked at him. "What?"

"I know a place where we could hang out. I'm pretty sure you'll feel relaxed."

'Where?"

"Just come with me."

Alex followed Richard. They went to the parking lot where Richard's new Ford Focus is parked.

'Hop in," he told Alex.

But Alex just remained standing. 'Where are we going?"

'Relax. We won't be far. You know The Coffee Club?"

"Yes, but..." Alex looked at the car. 'Why do we need to ride in that car? The Coffee Club is just on the next block."

'To save time," Richard answered. 'We only have until 6PM, right? That's roughly an hour from now. Besides, it's safer for us. Someone might see us walking together to The Coffee Club."

That is right. The way to the coffee shop is a highway and a car with a random person who knows her parents might see her walking with Richard and that person might tell that to her father.

So Alex agreed and hopped in Richard's car.

'New car?" Alex asked.

'Yup. Bryan helped me buy this in The Garage."

They went to The Coffee Club. It took them less than seven minutes to go there and park in front of the coffee shop.

"So The Coffee Club is also owned by the Quintos?" Alex asked.

"Yup," Richard answered. 'Let's go?"

They went out of the car, but instead of going through the main entrance, Richard took Alex at the side of the coffee shop.

'Where are we going?" Alex asked.

'To the kitchen."

"What?"

'I'm making you tea."

The two went inside the coffee shop. The kitchen is small but perfectly clean and well maintained. Upon entering, they saw two men talking to each other. One is wearing the uniform of the baristas and waiters of the coffee shop - light brown polo shirt tucked inside black slacks. The other one is wearing a light blue long sleeved polo tucked inside black slacks. Both of them looked at the two students as they entered the kitchen. 'Kuya Mike!" Richard said.

'Richard!" said the guy in light blue polo. He went to the two students and did a bro hug with Richard.

'Kuya, this is Alex," Richard said to Mike.

'Hi!" Mike shook hands with Alex. 'Girlfriend?"

Alex felt her face blushed.

'No." Richard looked at Alex. 'Not yet."

Alex felt her blush deepened at what Richard said.

'Oh, I see," Mike said. "I'm Michael Gonzalez. I'm Richard's cousin. Just call me Kuya Mike. You actually look familiar, you know."

"She's from Moonville, Kuya," Richard said.

'Oh! Maybe I saw you on one of the events," Mike said. 'What family do you belong to?"

Alex was hesitant, but Mike seems to be waiting for her answer. So she chose to tell him the truth.

"Martinez."

It took a while for Mike to absorb what Alex said. Then he looked at Richard who just shrugged.

"Wow! You, Cousin, is really the unpredictable type."

"Just please don't tell Dad."

"I won't," Mike said. 'I'm not talkative and I don't want to get involved with whatever you have with their family. Actually, we were just included in that mess, you know."

'You seem to know something about this grudge," Richard said.

'Well, Dad said that everything started because of your parents. That's just what he said. He told us to not get involved." He looked at Alex. "But you can hang out here." He smiled at her. 'You're safe here. But please just don't go here in the kitchen. There are some tables inside the shop that are quite hidden. You can use those."

"Noted, Kuya," Richard said. "But for now, we'll stay here. I want to make her some tea."

'Oh! So you're planning to impress Alex, huh?" Mike went to the counter tops. He opened a cabinet and took boxes of tea bags. "Here are our supplies. What else do you need?" Richard went to Mike.

"Do you have an apple?" asked Richard.

Mike opened the ref. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

"Thanks, Kuya. I think those will do," Richard said.

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'Well, I'll leave you two alone," Mike said. 'I need to do something outside. Richard, I know you know your way when it comes to kitchens."

'Yes, Kuya," Richard said.

"If you need anything, just call me outside. Okay?"

"Okay."

Mike went to the restaurant and left the two in the kitchen. Richard started preparing the tea while Alex sat on a stool by the island counter. 'Kuya Mike is Garee's oldest brother," Richard said.

'Do you always sneak into their kitchen?"

Richard smiled. 'I guess they're kind of used to me. One time I went here and prepared my coffee."

"You love coffee and tea?"

"Very much. I got it from Dad. He can't sleep without drinking coffee."

'The more that he can't sleep, right?"

"It turns out differently. Every individual has their own thing when it comes to caffeine."

Alex watched Richard work. He looks like a professional barista as he moved. She kind of relaxed a bit by just watching him work.

Especially when her tea was served.

'Hmn! This is good!"

Richard smiled. "That's chamomile tea with apple and cinnamon. Glad you liked it. Chamomile helps soothe the nerves and helps you relax."

'Thanks. I'm glad you're here."

"You're always welcome."

They sipped their tea and Richard engaged Alex into a pleasant conversation. True to his words, he helped her relax and somehow forget for a while the things that have been bothering her.